The Cannes Film Festival is not only a showcase for cinematic excellence but also a platform where fashion and politics often intersect.

This year, Australian actress Cate Blanchett has sparked a conversation that transcends the silver screen, with her attire on the red carpet becoming a topic of much debate and interpretation.

Cate Blanchett attended the premiere of the Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice in a striking Jean Paul Gaultier gown designed by Haider Ackermann.

The dress, with its form-fitting silhouette, featured a black front and a light pink back, which appeared white in photographs, and a green lining.

When Blanchett posed, revealing the inverted colour panel, the combination of black, white, green, and red was immediately reminiscent of the Palestinian flag.

Cate Blanchett appeared on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival wearing a black gown with a green inverted panel. Image source: X (Twitter)

This fashion choice by Blanchett, who is at Cannes to promote her upcoming film Rumours, did not go unnoticed.

Social media users and onlookers were quick to applaud the Oscar-winning actress, interpreting her gown as a subtle yet powerful gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian cause amidst the ongoing conflict with Israel.

Dr Zahira Jaser, among others, took to social media to express admiration for Blanchett's perceived message.

‘When I grow up I want to become Cate Blanchett, and have the subtlety to think the carpet is already red, so I can just wear a black & white dress with green lining to make such a strong point,’ she posted.

Source: YouTube​

Another social media user wrote: ‘This is the voice of conscience. Conscience is the most elegant dress that suits humanity.’

Blanchett's history of advocacy and her vocal support for humanitarian causes lend weight to the interpretation of her Cannes outfit as a deliberate statement.

In October of the previous year, she was one of 55 prominent figures in the entertainment industry to sign an open letter to United States President Joe Biden, calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The letter read: ‘We urge your administration, and all world leaders, to honour all the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay—an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages.’

Her plea for peace was reiterated during her speech at the European Parliament Plenary Session in November, where she spoke in her capacity as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations' Refugee Agency.

In her impassioned address, Blanchett declared herself a witness to the human cost of war and persecution, having met with refugees from various conflict zones around the world.

‘Having witnessed the human cost of war, violence and persecution visiting refugees from across the global, I cannot look away,’ she stated.

‘Over the past few weeks, we have all, in horror, been watching the continuing violence in Israel and Gaza. The conflict has claimed—and is still claiming—thousands of innocent lives.’

Blanchett added: ‘(I) urge each and every one of you here today to stand firm in challenging the dangerous myth pedalled far too widely and stoking far too much fear and hostility that each and every refugee is headed here to Europe.’

The latest update from Gaza's Health Ministry states that over 35,647 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed, and 79,652 more have been injured by Israel's retaliatory offensive against Hamas since October 7.

While Blanchett herself has not publicly confirmed the intention behind her Cannes outfit, the discussion it has sparked is a testament to her influence and the potential of fashion as a vehicle for political expression.

You can watch Cate Blanchett’s speech here:

Source: YouTube​

Key Takeaways

• Cate Blanchett made a perceived show of support for Palestine on the Cannes red carpet with her gown's colour scheme.
• Social media applauded the gesture, interpreting her dress choice as a subtle message amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
• Last year, Blanchett signed an open letter to US President Joe Biden, which called for a ceasefire in the conflict.
• Blanchett, as a Goodwill Ambassador, urged the European Parliament for an immediate ceasefire and addressed the human cost of war and persecution globally.

Members of the Seniors Discount Club, we invite you to share your thoughts on this matter. Do you believe that public figures should use their visibility to make political statements? Have you ever been moved by a celebrity's advocacy to learn more about a cause or take action? Let us know in the comments below.

 

[Knell]

Perhaps Cate receives so much attention for her acting, that she’s lost touch of who she really is.

Who is she really?

 

[DLHM]

Who is she really?

Who knows? You’ll note I said “perhaps….“ And I said it “tongue in cheek”, not to be taken seriously.

I’m just stating my personal opinion. I don’t think some actors can differentiate between fantasy and reality.

 

[Knell]

Who knows? You’ll note I said “perhaps….“ And I said it “tongue in cheek”, not to be taken seriously.

I’m just stating my personal opinion. I don’t think some actors can differentiate between fantasy and reality.

Ah, I see. I don't know any myself personally but a good assumption I guess.

 

[Luckyus]

Another has been actress trying to be relevant.

 

[Rob44]

Sarcasm doesn't change the facts.

The Israeli's have been allowing hundreds of vehicles a day to cross their border. The Egyptian's on the other hand have not.

Also as reported by Palestinian TV, Hamas has been stealing much of the aid comming into Gaza and stockpiling it for themselves. One of their warehouses was recently breached and civilians got into the food, also shown on Palestinian TV along with footage of many, reasonably well fed Gaza residents in a well stocked market place.

Gaza TV and Gaza journalism is also controlled by Hamas and telling the world lies.

Gaza is not a Ghetto within Israel. The Israelis pulled all Jews out of Gaza, some at gun point and more than a few being carried out by IDF soldiers.

Then they handed the place over to the Palestinians to decide what they wanted to do with the place. The Palestinians decided to elect an organisation that had as its mission:
'The total annihilation of the state of Israel via any means necessary" specifically backed up by verses of text calling on Muslims to kill ALL Jews, as the prerequisite for paradise on Earth.

Self defence is not their mission. Nor is defence of their citizens.

A senior Hamas leader openly stated to the people of Gaza in October last year that:
"We (Hamas) need your blood, to enrage all Muslims into joining us in the annihilation of Israel." (Al Jazeera broadcast the message with English translation)

One wonders what one would do if one's family's land had been stolen violently by invading Muslims and that one's family and relatives had been forced into permanent refugee camps that frequently got invaded by Muslim soldiers and settlers wanting to steal yet more land whilst shooting a couple of stone-throwing kids here and there. I suppose one might fight back, even if it had been going on for 80 years and grandad and grandma were now dead. I suppose that the invaders would call one a terrorist and one's friends call one a freedom fighter.

I suppose that exemplifies the basic human tribal condition, whatever the religion or political creed.

I suppose that is why my father joined the British army voluntarily so that he could kill Germans; he didn't like the idea of the nazi jackboot crossing the white cliffs of Dover. The Germans whom I have met, including some with certain reminiscences of WW2, have all been nice people with whom I have got on well. But........

 

[Mrtnst]

One wonders what one would do if one's family's land had been stolen violently by invading Muslims and that one's family and relatives had been forced into permanent refugee camps that frequently got invaded by Muslim soldiers and settlers wanting to steal yet more land whilst shooting a couple of stone-throwing kids here and there. I suppose one might fight back, even if it had been going on for 80 years and grandad and grandma were now dead. I suppose that the invaders would call one a terrorist and one's friends call one a freedom fighter.

One wonders what one would do if you lived in one of the wealthiest (oil rich) countries in the world who could easily provide you with a nice home, a good job and a great education. But they kept you in a filthy, unsanitary Refugee Camp, solely to ensure that you felt an abiding anger that they could use to help them destroy a country that meant you no harm.

I suppose that exemplifies the basic human tribal condition, whatever the religion or political creed.

I suppose that is why my father joined the British army voluntarily so that he could kill Germans; he didn't like the idea of the nazi jackboot crossing the white cliffs of Dover. The Germans whom I have met, including some with certain reminiscences of WW2, have all been nice people with whom I have got on well. But........

In 1948 there were about 200,000 Palestinians in the territory that is now Israel. In 2023 this was identified, by independently verified measurements, to have increased to over 2.2 Million Palestinians. Who can vote, become members of parliament, go to university (even if they are female), own homes and businesses, marry whoever they want, including same sex marriage, and transgender marriage.

However, in 1948 there were over 100,000, in many cases over 200,000, Jews in each of the Arab countries from the Atlantic Coast of North Africa to Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East. In 2023 these countries proudly self reported that this had dropped to a maximum of 70 people in one country and as few as 0 in others.


So you tell me, which side is genocidal?

 

[Robbo3006]

I see no evidence that she is supporting terrorism and mass murder by Israel.

Who started it? Open your eyes, hamas is a worldwide recognised terrorist organisation, end of story.

 

[Robbo3006]

Truly admirable actress with a heart. She stands with justice, humanity and peace. I don’t see anything wrong with advocating for peace

There will never be peace anywhere there is Islam.

 

[Ezzy]

No celebrity ever has nor ever will influence my beliefs about anything political & their advertising of certain products has no influence on my decision to buy something or not.

I choose to be an individual with the ability to make informed decisions.

 

[Luckyus]

There will never be peace anywhere there is Islam.

Ain't that, the bloody truth

 

[DLHM]

No celebrity ever has nor ever will influence my beliefs about anything political & their advertising of certain products has no influence on my decision to buy something or not.

I choose to be an individual with the ability to make informed decisions.

Yep, I agree wholeheartedly!!

 

[Chris P Bacon]

Until I hear that Cate is supporting Hamas terrorism then I consider these to be just the colours chosen by her fashion designer or Cate herself.
Cate should not be judged just because some groups picked this up without confirmation and ran with it as garbage propoganda.
If however, she does acknowledge her support for terrorism then I will loose all my respect for her.

 

[DrivingGirl]

It’s a dress black, pink with a bit of green lining on the train bit, possibly means that it was a gown she liked, nothing more. Why does everything have to be about a making a political statement? I don’t support Hamas or Israel but I certainly hope for peace.

Because with Cate Blanchett it always is - who would choose such an unnecessary train for a dress as a fashion statement anyway. It’s ugly and has only one purpose.
But you’re right this wasn’t intended to be a discussion on the war in Gaza - just on why she always had to pick a side to draw extra attention to herself.

 

[marni]

The story is in the mind of those who wish to see it. It’s a dress! The carpet is red! I would not read anything further in the photo

 

[DrivingGirl]

The story is in the mind of those who wish to see it. It’s a dress! The carpet is red! I would not read anything further in the photo

Not what Cate wants to hear. . .